I will be traveling to Alexander the Great's birthplace....(Pella-in Macedonia,Creece) what should I see?

Question

Hi, I will be there by the end of July.....I heard taking a taxi from Thessaloniki (where I will go to from Skopje macedonia) was the best way to get there....are there museums there and are there any hot spots to see there. Thanks!?

Answer 1

Hello and welcome to real Macedonia in Greece!
Pella was the ancient capital of the Greek kingdom of Macedon or Macedonia and as you said it was the birth place of Alexander the Great. (The word Pella is a form of the Doric Greek word Apella, originally meaning a ceremonial location were decisions were made. The city was founded by Archelaus I specifically to become the capital of his kingdom.)
It will be easy to go to Pella from Thessalonica with a taxi but I can’t tell how much the cost will be! It will be equally easy to take a bus and definitely cheaper!
There is the archaeological museum of Pella. The exhibition includes topographical and architectural plans, excavation photographs, explanatory texts concerning the exhibits, texts on the history of the city, the physical setting of the area, the history of the excavations etc. Also displayed are models of the private houses and casts of figurines and vases made with the ancient moulds found during the excavations.
All the artifacts are some of the strongest proof that the ancient Macedonians were a Greek tribe! (Well everything found is only...Greek!)
There are a lot of things to see in Pella’s archaeological site!
The private houses! Exceptional is the house with the mosaic floors bearing the representations of Dionysos and the Lion Hunt
The house with the mosaic floors of the Abduction of Helen, the Stag Hunt and Amazonomachy. The nucleus of both houses (covering a total area of 2500-3000 sq.m.) is the central peristyle courtyard. A column of the peristyle has been rebuilt.
The Palace, the Agora.
The Sanctuarie of Thesmophorion the temple of Aphrodite, and the Sanctuary of Darron, the curing god (identified by an inscription).
It will be easy to go to Pella from Thessalonica with a taxi but I can’t tell how much the cost will be! It will be equally easy to take a bus and definitely cheaper!
It is important to visit the archaeological site of Vergina-Aigai too!!
It is more impressive and magical!!
Vergina-Aigai is the first capital (before Pella) and it was the place of the ceremonial burial of the royal family of real Macedonia!
In 1977, M. Andronicos brought to light the royal tombs in the Great Tumulus of Vergina (Megale Toumba). The most remarkable of these was the tomb of Philip II (359-336 B.C.) and its discovery is considered to be one of the most important archaeological events of the century. And of course more proofs were added for the Greek identity of the ancient Macedonian kingdom). Since then, continuing excavations have revealed a series of significant monuments.
The most important places to see at Vergina-Aigai besides the royal Palace and the theater of the city (were Philip the II, the father of Alexander the great, was killed) are the royal tombs in the Great Tumulus. This group includes three Macedonian tombs and one cist-grave. One of them was the tomb of King Philip II and another probably belonged to King Alexander IV(the son of Alexander the great and Roxana). These two graves were found unplundered and are lavishly decorated with splendid wall paintings, made by great and famous Greek artists.
Vergina is about 80km south-west of Thessalonica, (the capital of Greek Macedonia). I don’t think it would be wise to take a taxi to Vergina-Aigai from Thessalonica but it would be defenetely far cheaper to take the bus!
(Opening Hours for Archaeological Sites, Museums and Monuments until October 31st, 2006 are the following:
Monday: 12.00-19.30
Tuesday-Sunday: 08.00-19.30!
Here are some sites that you will find helpful!
{It is important to remember not to confuse the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia or Macedon [which was the birth place of Alexander and it is entirely in Greece) with the modern state of Makedonija (or FYROM or Slav Macedonia or Slavic Republic of Macedonia) as they are not related at all]. The confusion has started a few years ago because that small state started to use the name “Republic of Macedonia” causing a great confusion with real Macedonia in Greece.}.
Hope I’ve helped you!

Answer 2

Macedonia Facts

* Landlocked nation bordered by Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia & Montegro, and Albania
* Part of former Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia
* Area slightly larger than Vermont
* Population 2,050,554 (2006 est.)
* Home of Alexander the Great
* Cleopatra was descended from Macedonians
* Birthplace of Cyrillic alphabet
* World's first all-wireless Internet country

http://www.exploringmacedonia.com/
http://adventures.yahoo.com/macedonia

Answer 3

http://macedonia-timeless.com/